A little help for a newbie?

[Bcom976]

Hi!
I'm new to the saber scene and I would like some help on building my first saber. My problem is.
I don't know a thing. I've never built one and I could use some help. I haven't bought any parts yet either because I'm still saving.
First off... I don't have a soldering iron, or "helping hands" am I dead in the water basically?

[Generic Jedi]

You can get a soldering iron, solder, and helping hands on Amazon.com. You'll also need wire cutters and strippers.

[Bcom976]

Thank you.
Also just out of curiosity, What is the Modular Wiring system?

[Generic Jedi]

Stuff that comes already wired. Like LED modules, switches, and recharge ports.

[Miraluka]

They're parts that come pre-wired with JST connectors and require either minimal or possibly no soldering for you. The only thing I can think of that would require any soldering are the LED modules since I'm pretty sure they don't come with any resistors.

I suppose you might call the MWS "plug & play" parts.

[Bark]

Watch the Custom Saber Shop You Tube videos.

You'll need your infrastructure pieces first, like a soldering iron. Price it out. You'll be spending hundreds before you buy saber pieces.

If you decide to dive in, remember the more sabers you make, the more cost effective your initial investments will become even if you spend more money.

When building a saber, build from the inside out, i.e. internal placements. If not, you'll find out the hard way how fast space disappears.

[Silver Serpent]

You don't need to spend hundreds on tools before you build your first saber. I did my first with a hand drill and a $10 soldering iron. With the excellent machining services at TCSS, plus the MWS parts, I could build a basic saber with no tools at all.

Tools help for customizing parts and making the saber "yours", so to speak.

Check out the videos in this section: http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/forumdisplay.php?51-Informational-and-Tutorial-Videos There are a lot of great hints and tips for beginners (and not-so-beginners) in there.

[Bcom976]

Thanks for that extra info Serpent. But what machining services?

[Silver Serpent]

For a basic saber, that would be drill/tap for the main switch, and drill/tap for blade retention screw. Everything else is optional.

If you're going for a saber with sound, then the activation boxes (with accompanying hole services) are a good option. It's certainly possible to build a saber from TCSS with zero tools of your own. It's more satisfying IMHO to break out your soldering iron and Dremel, but it's not mandatory.

I say to purchase tools as you need them. When you think of a cool idea for your next saber (and few people stop at just one), that requires some tool you don't own, THAT is the time to get that tool. Hand files, Dremel or other rotary tool, drill (drill press or hand drill), and a soldering iron are a good basic set of tools for sabersmithing. When you start customizing parts, those are the tools you'll be reaching for the most.

[Scarecrow]

He means drilling holes for switches, accent led's, etc. TCSS can do it for you. Not to be contradictory but you'll be doing yourself a favor by getting a decent soldering station instead of a cheapie iron. You can find one for around $40. It's good to have adjustable temperature because you'll need more heat for the led star than you will for the soundcard. A lot of problems can be avoided by using the right temp on your iron.

[Bcom976]

I really do appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. I already have some tools like the drill, pliers and wire cutters. and I know how to use them to strip them so I'm really only missing the soldering iron with the helping hands and obviously solder. I'm still working on saving my money so I really don't have a problem with waiting a bit more to get the rest of the tools.

Thanks all,
Bcom976

[Generic Jedi]

When you get a soldering iron or station, make sure it's ESD safe.

[DeadlyLightsabers]

use this link

[Bcom976]

thank you very much.